the villa. When he knows I’ve left the island, he’ll be over.”
Things were moving fast. “I hope you have a safe flight.”
Before she could respond, the baby hiccupped, proving a distraction for Deline, who couldn’t help examining his dear little face. “Which one is he?”
“Kris.”
“The one who has to have the heart surgery?”
“Yes.”
“He looks well.”
“I know, but he tires more easily and fusses more than Nikos. He’s a little smaller, too. When they’re grown, he’ll probably be an inch shorter. The doctor said this first operation is going to make a big difference.”
Her lower lip quivered. “H-he’s so sweet.” Her voice caught before she turned away with an abruptness Gabi understood. “I have to go.” She hurried off.
“Take care,” she called after her.
Oh, Deline…
WITH a heavy heart Gabi closed the door. After feeding the babies, she put them down for their nap before checking her watch. It was ten after two. She phoned her mother, but all she got was her voice mail. Gabi left a message that she’d be returning to Heraklion without the children.
While she waited for Leon to come for his boys, she checked airline schedules and ferry crossings to Crete. There wouldn’t be another flight out of the island airport until tomorrow, but there was a ferry to Kimolos leaving from the pier at five-thirty. From there she would take another ferry to Heraklion.
She needed one more day to be with her parents and get her packing done. Then she’d fly to Athens and make a connecting flight to Washington, D.C. Without the twins to care for, it was imperative she put an ocean between her and Andreas.
A knock on the door broke her concentration. “Gabi? Are you in there?”
It was Leon’s voice. She hurried across the room to open it. He looked worse than Deline, as if he hadn’t slept in days. “Come in. Your wife said you’d be over.”
He followed her into the living room. “I’m not going to have a wife much longer.”
There was nothing she could say to comfort him on that score. He knew better than to ask her questions about their conversation since she couldn’t answer them out of respect for Deline. “But you do have two little babies who need their daddy. What plans have you made?”
“For the time being I’m going to keep them with me at my villa here. Estelle, the housekeeper, is going to take over as their nanny until I can find a permanent one. Mother will help. The family is around right now, turning one of the bedrooms into a nursery. Everyone’s anxious to help me get them settled. Needless to say, my parents are eager to love their newest grandchildren.”
“I’m sure they are.”
“Gabi?” His bloodshot eyes had gone moist. “I’m aware of how much you and your parents love them. This has to be a very difficult moment for you.”
“It is. I won’t lie to you about that, but you gave them life. They need you more than my folks and I need them. The sooner you take over, the sooner they’re going to become yours, heart and soul.”
“You know my home will always be open to you.”
“Of course. In two months I plan to fly back to Crete to see my parents for a week. By then Kris will have had his operation and be recovered in time for all of us to have a reunion.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it. We’ll have a family party where everyone can get acquainted.”
Gabi wondered how she would live until she saw them or Andreas again. “The next time you’re with your brother, please tell him thank you for making the arrangements here. It’s been a lovely vacation for me.”
“Andreas is the greatest friend a person could have.”
I know.
Together they packed up the children’s things and put them in his car. Leon had already installed two infant carseats in the back. Then came time to carry the children out of the house and buckle them in.
Throughout the process they stayed asleep, not having any idea that the next time they woke up, they’d be home with their daddy for the rest of their lives. And Andreas would always be their loving uncle…
Such lives they were going to lead being the sons of a Simonides!
She was thrilled for them. For herself, she was dying inside from too many losses in one day. Don’t lose it yet, Gabi. Remember why you sought out Andreas in the first place.
Leon came around and hugged her hard. “You’ve been a guardian angel all this time. I’m never going to forget. Before I go, let’s program in each other’s cell-phone numbers. I’m afraid I’ll be calling you pretty constantly until I get the hang of being a father. The children will be wanting you all the time.”
“For a day or two maybe.”
Gabi ran back in the house to get her phone. In a minute they were both set and there was nothing else to detain him. He climbed in behind the steering wheel. She shut the door. Leon pressed her hand one more time before turning on the motor.
Leave now before my little darlings open their eyes.
She waved until everything became a blur.
The minute the helicopter touched down on the helipad behind the villa on Milos, Andreas climbed out. He’d just come from Irena’s, where he’d told her everything. She deserved to know about the twins and the strange circumstances that had brought Gabi into his life.
Even in her pain, Irena demonstrated a rare graciousness before he said goodbye. Now he was anxious to find his brother. He assumed everyone was out at the pool enjoying dinner. After he ate, he’d disappear with his brother.
As he drew closer he could hear his family talking. They sounded more animated than usual. He couldn’t help but be curious over the reason why. When he descended the last flight of steps, he saw their large clan congregated around Leon and his parents. To his shock they were holding Kris and Nikos, but the babies weren’t happy about it.
Andreas’s heart thundered in his chest. He jerked his head to the side looking for Gabi. He felt as if it had been weeks instead of hours since he’d last seen her, but there was no sign of her.
Leon caught his glance and came striding toward him. He pulled Andreas over to the wall where they could talk in private.
“As you can see, the secret is out now. The family knows everything.”
Andreas had to admit he was relieved. Now he didn’t have to bear the burden of it alone. “Did Deline get a look at the twins?”
“This
